The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), which serves the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S., has announced that Jesuit Father Michael J. Sheeran will begin his tenure as president on April 1. He succeeds Jesuit Father Gregory F. Lucey, who has served as president since 2011.

“It is a great privilege to lead the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. We will work to advance the mission of Jesuit higher education: to help students lead exemplary lives and grow in service, faith and justice,” said Fr. Sheeran.

Prior to his new post, Fr. Sheeran had been president of Regis University in Denver for 20 years. He also served as the university’s academic vice president and academic dean. Under Fr. Sheeran’s leadership, Regis University’s student enrollment doubled. He also oversaw the development of Regis’ online academic programs, established partnerships with international Jesuit institutions and hosted Pope John Paul II and President Bill Clinton on campus in 1993.

Fr. Sheeran entered the Society of Jesus in 1957 and was ordained a priest in 1970. He holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University and has taught at Regis University, Saint Louis University and Regis Jesuit High School in Denver.

Jesuit Father Stephen V. Sundborg, AJCU Board of Directors Chair and president of Seattle University, said, “On behalf of the AJCU Board of Directors, I welcome Fr. Sheeran as the new president of AJCU and thank him for his service. We also thank Fr. Lucey for his outstanding leadership over the past two years, and we wish him well in his return to Spring Hill College as its chancellor.” [AJCU]

AMDG
DEAR MIKE,
CONGRATS! WONDERED WHERE YOU WOULD POP-UP.
IN YOUR PHOTO YOU LOOK HAPPY AND SCAIRED; SO I WILL PRAY THAT YOUR NEW JESUIT RELATIONS WILL GO PERFECTLY AS THE HOLY SPIRIT DIRECTS, IN THAT PERFECT QUIET VOICE, WHICH ALWAYS HOLDS THE PERFECT ANSWER!
SULLY WITH HIS PERFECT SMILES WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
YOURS IN LOVING TOLERANCE,
DAVID